There is nothing more tyrannical than a strong popular feeling among a democratic people.

Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

In politics, what begins in fear usually ends in folly.

You have all the characteristics of a popular politician: a horrible voice, bad breeding, and a vulgar manner.

Politics is the art of the possible.

No free man shall be taken or imprisoned or dispossessed or outlawed or exiled, or in any way destroyed, nor will we go upon him, nor will we send against him except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land.

A riot is at bottom the language of the unheard.

The vice presidency isn’t worth a pitcher of warm piss.

I shall be an autocrat: that’s my trade. And the good Lord will forgive me: that’s his.

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.

The best of all rulers is but a shadowy presence to his subjects.

Let him who desires peace prepare for war.

A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always count on the support of Paul.